AC Milan will likely be again in motion on Saturday night as an away journey to Genoa is on the playing cards. The Rossoneri haven’t had a lot relaxation however will likely be trying to make it seven out of eight attainable wins within the league.
Certainly, Stefano Pioli’s males have had an excellent begin to the season within the league. They’re coming from a 0-0 draw towards Dortmund within the Champions League, although, and that recreation was additionally performed simply two days in the past.
It’s removed from preferrred for Milan, however they might want to make the perfect out of the state of affairs. Because of the tight schedule, Pioli didn’t even have time to talk to the media on the common pre-match press convention.
Recreation date: Saturday, October 7
Kick-off time: 20:45 (CEST)
Venue: Luigi Ferraris
Referee: Marco Piccinini (VAR: Di Paolo)
Staff information
There are a couple of accidents that Pioli should work round, although there may be nothing new on this entrance. Ismael Bennacer must be again in the direction of the tip of the yr, whereas Rade Krunic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek ought to return after the break.
In comparison with the sport towards Dortmund, there will likely be a couple of modifications to XI however just one in defence given the current success. Alessandro Florenzi will substitute Davide Calabria, hoping to proceed his optimistic pattern.
The remainder of the defence, as mentioned, will stay the identical and that’s certainly comprehensible provided that Milan have conceded only one aim within the final 5 video games. With only one recreation left till the break, due to this fact, Pioli doesn’t need to mess with the magic.
In midfield, Yacine Adli will likely be again from begin and that additionally means Tijjani Reijnders will play on the left. Yunus Musah is ready for his second consecutive begin and will likely be trying to shine as soon as once more on the right-hand aspect.
Additional up the pitch, there’s a battle between Samuel Chukwueze and Christian Pulisic for the right-wing spot. The Nigerian missed a giant probability towards Dortmund and will likely be trying to redeem himself, however the battle remains to be open.
Lastly, Noah Okafor must be the beginning centre-forward for the Rossoneri as Olivier Giroud clearly wants some relaxation. The Frenchman is keen to search out the again of the web, however Pioli should give some house to the Swiss worldwide, who has executed nicely these days.
Possible Milan XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Florenzi, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Musah, Adli, Reijnders; Pulisic/Chukwueze), Okafor, Leao.
The opponents
Genoa performed within the second tier final season and gained promotion after ending in second place with 73 factors. They determined to maintain the supervisor Alberto Gilardino for the highest tier as nicely, and who can blame them given the success final season.
To date, the Grifone have collected eight factors after the primary seven video games. Not a superb report by any means, however they managed to beat each Lazio and Roma within the course of. Moreover, they bought a 2-2 draw towards Napoli.
Albert Gudmundsson was one of many key gamers final season and he has continued to do very nicely at the beginning of this one, together with Mateo Retegui. The latter was introduced on this summer time and he has scored three objectives within the league.
Nevertheless, as was confirmed by Gilardino earlier in the present day, Retegui might miss out on the conflict tomorrow as he’s battling knee ache. The ultimate resolution will likely be made tomorrow nevertheless it seems like he will likely be unavailable. This, in fact, could be a lift for Milan.
There will likely be a really acquainted face within the Genoa beginning XI as nicely, with Junior Messias anticipated to start out. The Brazilian is on mortgage on the membership (however with an obligation to purchase) and scored towards Roma in his debut.
Possible Genoa XI (4-4-2): Martinez; Sabelli, Bani, Dragusin, Vasquez; Messias, Thorsby, Frendrup, Haps; Malinovskyi; Gudmundsson.
Face to face
Milan have been very profitable towards Genoa in current time, with their final loss coming in March of 2020 (earlier than the Covid lockdown). Since then, although, they’ve received three out of 4 video games and have additionally received seven of the final 9.
At Luigi Ferraris, the Rossoneri have additionally executed nicely with 4 wins within the final 5 video games. The final encounter between the 2 sides on the stadium ended 3-0 (Scudetto season), with the objectives coming from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and coincidentally Junior Messias, who bagged a brace.
Match info…
➤ AC Milan have received seven of their final 9 Serie A matches towards Genoa (D1 L1) – together with every of their final three – scoring a minimum of two objectives in seven of these
➤ Within the final 5 matches at Ferraris between Genoa and Milan in Serie A, the Rossoneri have received 4 instances (D1). Grifone’s final success at residence towards Diavolo within the competitors got here again in October 2016 beneath Juric (due to Ninkovic’s and Pavoletti’s objectives, and Kucka’s personal aim).
➤ Every of the final 9 events by which Genoa have picked up a minimum of eight factors from their first seven Serie A matches in a season (final one in 2018/19) they’ve at all times gone on to keep away from relegation; the final time they have been relegated with as many factors at this stage was again in 1994/95.
➤ AC Milan have picked up 18 factors in Serie A this season, their third-best begin after seven video games in a top-flight marketing campaign within the three factors for a win period, solely doing higher in 2021/22 and 2003/04 (each 19 factors).
➤ Since February, every AC Milan’s 5 Serie A defeats have come away from residence, with the final of these away from Milan (due to this fact excluding the derby) coming towards a Ligurian workforce: 0-2 towards Spezia on Might 13, 2023.
➤ Genoa are – degree with Inter – one of many two groups to have scored essentially the most objectives in Serie A this season after a excessive turnover (each three) – the three such Grifone objectives have come of their final two matches towards Roma (two) and Udinese (one).
➤ Solely Napoli have the next cross success fee (87.7%) than AC Milan within the present Serie A season (87.4%); the Rossoneri even have the very best passing accuracy in their very own half (94%).
➤ Albert Gudmundsson and Mateo Retegui have each scored three objectives in Serie A this season: the final time Genoa had two strikers with a minimum of three objectives within the first seven Serie A matches was again in 1977/78 (Roberto Pruzzo and Giuseppe Oscar Damiani).
➤ AC Milan are the one workforce within the massive 5 European leagues in 2023/24 to have two gamers with 3+ objectives and three+ assists (Olivier Giroud 4 objectives and three assists, Rafael Leão three objectives and three assists).
➤ Among the many midfielders with a minimum of 100 minutes performed in Serie A this season, Yacine Adli is the one with the very best common of profitable passes per 90 minutes (77 on common in 128 minutes performed).
Ones to observe
It will likely be very fascinating to see Yacine Adli again from begin after cameo off the bench towards Dortmund. The sensation is that he nonetheless wants to point out correctly what he’s able to, even when his performances to date have been promising.
Along with the Frenchman, it’s clear that Rafael Leao can have the motivation to do rather well. The winger has acquired some criticism (inexplicably, actually) for his show towards Dortmund and now’s the time to silence the critics.
As for Genoa, it goes with out saying that Milan want to remain near Gudmundsson. He’s extremely skilful on the ball and appears silky easy as he makes his method by way of the opponents. He must be stopped early, that’s for positive.
Ruslan Malinovskyi is one other participant who’s able to inflicting actual harm, though he’s loads much less constant in comparison with Gudmundsson. In any case, Milan can’t afford to provide him any house on the sting of the field along with his left foot.
Prediction
Milan have been very stable on the again and this could proceed tomorrow night. The struggles up entrance, in the meantime, may very well be an issue this day trip as nicely however the feeling is that they are going to be extra composed (like towards Cagliari).
Genoa 0-2 Milan